Building influence through consistency

Trust and credibility create lasting influence. Your past work and reputation matter greatly, especially in senior roles where current performance is hard to judge. As one executive explained, "Complex projects take time to show results. It's hard to know who's right. That's why past performance and reputation are so important."^[1]

Build influence by creating relationships before you need them. Make connections early and regularly. Every interaction either builds or damages your credibility. Good relationships make cooperation easier. People communicate better, trust your word more, and accept flexible repayment. Bad relationships create problems: people won't engage, they misunderstand intentions, they demand more proof, and they have less patience.

Trust grows through steady actions over time. Keep your promises, provide value to others, and create win-win situations. When people see you care about their success, not just your own gain, influence grows naturally. Real influence comes from helping others succeed consistently.